Saints boss Pochettino: We'll keep on blooding youngsters

Saints will continue their policy of blooding youngsters between now and the end of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino has been keen to give young talent its chance since taking charge at St Mary’s, and that is set to continue in the final six games of the campaign.

With the likes of Harrison Reed and Sam Gallagher on the fringes of the first team there could be chances to get some game time between now and the final day of the campaign.

“There are players that have been constantly part of the senior set-up so we are already doing that,” said Pochettino.

“These are players that have the quality to be playing in the senior side but they just need a bit more time to mature, a bit more time to grow.

“We are looking to lead them into the senior side.”

Saints though do have a strong squad of senior players ahead of some of the young guns.

And they are not far off of full strength for the trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad tomorrow with Victor Wanyama the only short term absentee remaining a doubt.

“Out of all the players that could come back the only one who we still need to assess his fitness ahead of the game is Victor Wanyama,” reported Pochettino.

The Saints manager was once again asked about his contract situation.

With the season somewhat fizzling out in terms of things to play for, it is becoming a regular fixture in Pochettino’s press conferences.

He was quizzed once more about his situation after again being linked with the Tottenham job this week but said: “The first thing is that I still have one more year on my contract.

“The second thing is that we still have six games until the end of the season and we are trying to focus as much as we can to get the maximum number of points out of those games.

“Third of all as first team manager I am always focussed on the team and the game ahead.

“I am also working in a calm manner and I am open to discuss with the board whenever it’s convenient and necessary the future but I think there is still time until that happens and I am always open to discuss with the board whenever it’s necessary in the future.”

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here